Conference VideoReturn to index of conference videos These streaming videos require the free QuickTime player software from Apple Computer. Conference Session: Session V—Politics and Oversight Speaker(s): Fred Cohen, Court Monitor for Ohio’s correctional medical services (Moderator) Date: Length: 91 minutes Description: Part A of this session is a case study of Ohio’s Correctional Institutions Inspection Committee, a legislatively-based prison oversight entity with inspection and monitoring responsibilities. Shirley Pope, the director of the agency, describes the oversight group’s functions, seeing the legislative structure of this agency as one of its strengths. Terry Collins reflects on the group’s work from his perspective at the helm of the agency subject to oversight. Both speakers agree that this has been a highly successful model of oversight that has resulted in collaborative working relationships and that has spurred meaningful changes, a conclusion reinforced by Fred Cohen, who has served as a court monitor in the state. Part B of the session addresses the role of legislators generally in providing prison oversight and the ways in which oversight can become politicized. Max Williams comments from the perspective of someone who has worn the hats of both a legislator and a corrections executive. Rod Hickman, who recently resigned as the head of the California prison system, discusses the lack of political will to solve problems identified through external oversight, while stressing the importance of transparency in prison operations. The statements made here represent the speakers' own thoughts. Neither the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, nor any organization providing support for this effort necessarily endorses the views and statements included here. |
